Good Morning, Meetpastordan Readers…I started thinking about this message a couple of days ago, during the wee hours of the morning (5:00ish), when I was out walking my dogs. I love the peace and serenity of that time of day, but that particular morning, I found myself aggravated with the news; aggravated because I switched around from channel to channel to try to get a balanced picture, but the more I did that, the more worked-up I became! That was especially true in this case, because I heard ideas and words misquoted and taken out of context to substantiate a rather devious practice with a veiled Scriptural reference. It involved promoting the new “enlightened” way of thinking, which was being championed by the news media as “breaking down the barriers of tradition, and establishing a new sense of reality.” The news commentator went on to say, “It even says in the Bible that “we should be transformed by changing the way we think…Right? Well, we’re just trying to do our thing according to the good book.” (followed by bellicose laughing!)
No doubt there has been a continued attempt to further Barack Obama’s campaign proclamation, “We need to fundamentally change America.” At the time he made that statement, I don’t think most people understood the coded message contained in those words. But today, the message is clear. There is an unveiled and concerted effort to turn America into a socialist country, and the press, the electronic media and the entertainment industry are willing co-conspirators in this continued endeavor.
So, why do I say that? Well, virtually all of the main-stream news publications, and radio and television stations support and echo the liberal progressive agenda (LPA – the far-left). It is hard to find objective reporting of the news today. Instead, we get a presentation of the news that is “spun” in such a way to further a particular point of view. If you look at the TV and movie industry’s latest subject matter for entertainment, it is violence, but not just violence…brutal, horrific violence; it is extraterrestrial or supernatural themes with emphasis on the dark domain; it is in-your-face sex, featuring nudity, sex acts, gay sex, adultery and swinging. Consequently, the traditional family structure is challenged by a “new norm” that is being thrust upon us.
So, why do I believe that is intentionally happening? Well, the cornerstone of modern-day psychology is this simple truth: What we put in our heads will determine what we believe, and our actions will most likely mimic that process. If that is true, and it is, in order to fundamentally change America, there would first have to be an assault on the traditions and beliefs that we previously held dear. Those beliefs and traditions would have to be replaced with a new set of values and a new sense of normality .That insidious process began about half-a-century ago, first at a very slow, almost imperceptible pace, but at the turn of the century it picked up speed, and during the last administration it began rearing its ugly head and progressed at breakneck speed.
What we see happening right now, right before our very eyes, is a full blown assault on what used to define America, such as our founding documents, religious freedom, the value of life, the rule of law, the traditional family structure, and a moral compass that used to define “right” and “wrong”. As the news commentator said in the first paragraph, “the people have to be transformed by changing the way they think.” The electronic media plays a big part in achieving that goal. Their role is to bombard our senses with the intent of numbing and dumbing us down to the point of submission to the LPA’s presentation of a new “normal”, and a new conception of “right” and “wrong”.
Now let’s look at the truth that is found in the Scripture that was misquoted. (No doubt, what aggravated me most about the Scriptural reference was the fact that it turned the truth of the Scripture upside down.) Romans 12: 2-3 reads as follows: “Do not conform to the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect His will really is.” Wow! What incredible hope we find in those two verses!
The Epistle of Romans is the greatest explanation of God’s love for Mankind, and it very clearly defines His Gift of Grace. In this Epistle we are told about His plan for our redemption; we are told that this plan was in place even before He created the world. (Ref. Ephesians 1: 3-4) But here is the most amazing gem to be revealed; He knew we were going to be “problem children”, but He still created us! Romans 12: 2-3 tells us how we can be transformed into the person God created us to be by accepting His Gift of Grace (accepting what Jesus did on our behalf. He paid the penalty for our sins, even though we did nothing to deserve it, nor were we worthy of it…hence, the title, “Gift of Grace”) The reference to this Scripture by the afore mentioned news commentator to further the LPA is nothing short of blasphemy!
“Do not conform to the behavior and customs of this world” clearly expresses God’s disdain for the world’s standards. In this case, the worldly standard being championed, Socialism, is contrary to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, all of which are believed to be “unalienable rights” granted to human beings by their Creator. Changing our way of thinking is clearly about learning, and relying on, the truth of God’s words and promises. According to the LPA ploy, “changing the way people think” is about changing our sense of normality and moral values. The more we are numbed down and dumbed down, the easier it is to promote this new lie! But one thing for sure, the LPA’s intent is certainly NOT for us to understand God’s good, pleasing and perfect will!
Nothing is more precious than freedom. In fact, “Jesus came to set the captives free.” (Ref. Luke 4:18) Prior to His coming, Man (us) proved ourselves to be “utterly helpless” (Ref. Romans 5:6) to attain our salvation through our best effort. “Why”, you ask? Because we were slaves to our sin-nature. But the coming of Christ, and His sacrifice on our behalf, sets us free from the penalty of eternal death. All that is required of us, is to humble ourselves and accept Jesus’ shed blood as payment for our Sin. That was, and still IS, God’s plan for our salvation. Think about that! Jesus paid the penalty for YOUR sins so you could spend eternity with Him in Paradise!! That is the true reward for “changing the way you think.
We have to be free from sin in order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. We have to be free from oppression or tyranny in order to live in freedom right here, right now. God gave us free will at the outset. Therefore, no man nor any governing body should have the right to take that unalienable right away. Keep this truth in the front of your mind as you listen to the news in the upcoming weeks and months.
May God Bless You…
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Dan Presgrave (a.k.a. Pastor Dan)
Very well written; so true.
Thank you, Ben for taking time to respond to my blog. It is much appreciated.